Freelander 8 confirmed for Australia
British-Chinese SUV brand locks in Australia and New Zealand launch for 2027The News
The Freelander brand has confirmed it will launch in Australia and New Zealand in 2027, with the large electrified Freelander 8 SUV set to be the first model offered locally. The announcement follows the global debut of the revived brand, which combines Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) design and engineering expertise with Chery's electrified vehicle technology and manufacturing scale.
The Key Details
- Freelander brand confirmed for Australia and New Zealand in 2027
- Freelander 8 large SUV to be first local model
- Kym Mellow appointed Head of Freelander Australia and New Zealand
- Brand backed by Chery-JLR joint venture
- Six models planned globally over the next five years
The Finer Details
Six months after the Freelander 8 was first revealed in China, the new British-branded SUV has officially been locked in for Australian and New Zealand showrooms.
The Freelander brand, operated through the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture, was formally launched for global markets this week in Abu Dhabi, with Australia and New Zealand identified as priority right-hand-drive markets.
The Freelander name originally appeared on Land Rover SUVs sold between 1997 and 2014, but the revived brand now sits outside both JLR and Chery's existing model ranges and will focus on electrified vehicles for international markets.
Leading the local operation will be former Mazda Australia and Inchcape executive Kym Mellow, who has been appointed Head of Freelander Australia and New Zealand ahead of the brand's showroom arrival.
According to Mellow, the new brand aims to blend JLR's off-road heritage and British design with Chery's technology and production capabilities.
"Freelander brings together JLR's British design and all-terrain heritage with the best of Chery's technology, scale and supply chain," he said.
The first vehicle destined for Australia will be the Freelander 8, a premium upper-large SUV measuring more than 5.1 metres in length and available in five- and six-seat configurations.
When it debuted earlier this year, Freelander confirmed electric, plug-in hybrid and range-extender powertrains were planned, while the SUV also features air suspension, terrain-management technology and advanced driver-assistance systems.
The company says more than 10,000 pre-orders were placed in China within 48 hours of order books opening.
Freelander Australia has not yet released local specifications, pricing or final launch timing.
The brand will compete in Australia's growing premium SUV market, targeting buyers seeking a combination of luxury, technology and genuine off-road capability.
Freelander vehicles are produced by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture at its Changshu manufacturing facility in China. The partnership was established in 2012 and currently builds vehicles including the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport for the Chinese market.
The Road Ahead
While the Freelander 8 will spearhead the brand's Australian launch in 2027, the company says a broader model expansion is already planned.
Freelander intends to introduce six vehicles globally over the next five years as it expands beyond China and the Middle East into key right-hand-drive markets including Australia and New Zealand.
More details on Australian specifications, pricing and dealership locations are expected closer to launch, with the company currently recruiting local leadership staff and establishing its retailer network.
Related: Chery-JLR Freelander 8 electric SUV revealed
Related: Aussie battery tech for Jaguar and Land Rover EVs
Related: Chery considering Australian expansion beyond Chery
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